Syrian troops regained control of two areas near the international airport of the capital Damascus, the state-TV said.

"The army has restored security to Haran al-Awamid and Kafreen, " the state-TV said, adding that the operation has also resulted in destruction all of the rebels' command centers.

The army had been poised to enter the Haran al-Awamid since last week in order to secure the road to the airport.

The news came as the military showdown continued in the southern and eastern outskirts of Damascus between the army and the armed rebels.

Wednesday's fighting was deemed as the most ferocious rattling the surroundings of the capital in months. The drumbeat of shells reverberated across the city while activists' videos showed government troops' shells dotting the strongholds of rebels in Jobar and Zamalka among others.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said five civilians were killed by mortar shells in Jobar, adding that at least three soldiers were killed when their checkpoints were attacked.

The Observatory also posted a video footage online showing rebels beating three women with sticks and whips in Jobar for cooperating with the Syrian authorities.

In the northern province of Aleppo, meanwhile, five people of one family, including two children, were killed Wednesday by bombardment on Qdeiran village of al-Bab in Aleppo's countryside.

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